Gaming machine which, according to symbols rearranged in display area of reels, rearranges the symbols once again, and a display control method for scroll-displaying reels on a display window

ABSTRACT

A slot machine of the present invention includes a plurality of reels, a display window, and a motherboard. The plurality of reels include: a reel having a symbol column which includes ordinary symbols each of which is provided as a single image to the plurality of unit areas R on the outer circumference of the reel, on one-to-one basis; and a special symbol which is provided as a single image over four unit areas. The display window is disposed at the front of the plurality of reels. The motherboard is programmed to execute the process of rearranging and displaying the symbols on the display window, and a process of, when a part of the special symbol on the reel is displayed in the display window as a result of the rearrangement, rearranging the entire special symbol in the display window (re-scrolling process).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine which rearranges a plurality of symbols including a special symbol to be provided as one image over a plurality of unit areas on the outer circumference of each of a plurality of reels, and a display control method for scrolling the plurality of reels in the display window. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine and a display control method, each characterized by the display control of a special symbol.

2. Description of Related Art

Traditionally, a slot machine (an example of a gaming machine) starts a game with a predetermined amount of bet. In the game, a plurality of reels each having a symbol column on their respective outer circumferences are rotated, and are stopped after a predetermined period in such a manner as to display randomly selected symbols on a display window. Then, whether or not a winning is achieved is determined based on a combination of resulting symbols displayed in the display window. Such a slot machine, in general, has a plurality of unit areas on the outer circumference of each reel, and each unit area has therein one symbol (hereinafter, “ordinary symbol”). However, for a purpose of ensuring a broader area for drawing a symbol, there is suggested a slot machine having a reel on which a symbol (hereinafter, “special symbol”) is provided over a plurality of unit areas. Such a special symbol allows a single symbol with a fine and beautiful design, as it is drawn in a broader drawing area than that for an ordinary symbol. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,261 discloses a slot machine having video reels which display symbols in unit areas of five rows and three columns, in which one image (cowboy) is drawn over three unit areas in a single column. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,415 discloses a slot machine adopting a structure which is similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,261, but with mechanical reels.

However, when displaying the special symbol in the display window, the above slot machine of U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,261 may display only a part of the special symbol in the display window and the entire special symbol may not be displayed in the display window. When the entire special symbol is not displayed, the fine and beautiful design of the special symbol is not shown to the player. In the slot machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,415 however, the player selects one or more reels stop rotating, and then all the symbols on the selected reel is replaced with the special symbol. Therefore, the entire special symbol is displayed without fail. This slot machine however displays the entire special symbol, whether or not the randomly selected symbol to be stopped upon stopping the rotation of the reel is a special symbol. This makes the game boring, thus spoiling the gaming characteristic.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine which executes display control to display the entire special symbol, only when a randomly selected symbol rearranged is a part of the special symbol, thereby enabling displaying of a visually impressive special symbol while ensuring a high gaming characteristic. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display control method which allows scrolling of a plurality of reels in the display window.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine, including: a plurality of reels each having on its outer circumference a plurality of unit areas, wherein the plurality of reels include at least one first reel having a plurality of symbols including an ordinary symbol provided as one image in one of the unit areas and a special symbol provided as one image over a predetermined number of unit areas, the predetermined number being more than one; a display window disposed at the front of the plurality of reels, which displays the predetermined number or more of the unit areas on the reels and which relates to a winning; and a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to execute

(a1) a first rearranging process of rearranging the symbols on the plurality of reels and displaying the symbols in the display window; and

(a2) a second rearranging process of, when a part of the special symbol on the first reel is displayed in the display window after rearrangement of (a1), rearranging symbols to display the entire special symbol in the display window.

In the structure, when the display window displays only a part of the special symbol after the first rearranging process, the second rearranging process is executed to display the entire special symbol in the display window. Thus, when a part of the special symbol is rearranged, the entire special symbol is rearranged and the player is able to see the entire fine and beautiful design of the special symbol provided over a plurality of unit areas. Thus, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying a visually beautiful special symbol. Further, only when the special symbol on the first reel is at least partially displayed in the display window as the result of the first rearranging process, the second rearranging process is executed to display the entire special symbol in the display window. That is, when the special symbol is not at all displayed in the display window the special symbol is not displayed. As described above, the display control for the special symbol is executed based on the result of the first rearranging process. It is therefore possible to provide a gaming machine with a high gaming characteristic which is capable of rearranging a special symbol.

Further, another form of the present invention is the above mentioned gaming machine, adapted so that the plurality of reels include a plurality of the first reels and a second reel having a plurality of symbols including the ordinary symbol but no special symbol. Further, in the first rearranging process of (a1), the controller rearranges symbols on the second reel before rearranging symbols on the first reel.

With the structure, symbols are first rearranged on the second reel having no special symbol in the first rearranging process, and then rearrangement of symbols is executed on the first reels. When a part of the special symbol is rearranged on any of the first reels as the result of the rearrangement on the first reels, the second rearranging process is executed to display the entire special symbol.

For example, suppose the special symbol is a wild symbol or the like which functions as any symbol. If this special symbol is rearranged, the winning result may vary depending on the ordinary symbols rearranged. The above structure executes the first rearranging process in which symbols are rearranged on the second reel having only the ordinary symbols. Thus, when the symbols are rearranged on the second reel, the player is able to predict the possible winning result. Further, depending on the result of the subsequent rearrangement of symbols on the plurality of first reels, the entire special symbol is rearranged in the second rearranging process. This causes higher expectation of the player for the predicted winning result.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is the above gaming machine adapted so that the controller executes a base game and a feature game which is run based on the result of the base game, and that (a2) is executed in the feature game and not in the base game.

With the structure, the second rearranging process is executed only in the feature game, and when a part of the special symbol is rearranged, the entire special symbol is rearranged. Thus, for example, when the special symbol is a wild symbol which functions as any symbol, the second rearranging process enables a winning to be resulted more easily. Thus, the chances of winning are made higher in the feature game.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is a display control method which scrolls a plurality of reels on a display window, the method including the following steps of:

(a1) executing, for at least one of the reels, a process of stopping the scroll so that the display window displays some of a plurality of symbols including one or more ordinary symbols to be displayed on one-by-one basis in segments of the reels, and a special symbol to be displayed over two or more of the segments; and

(a2) when a part of the special symbol is displayed in the display window, changing the display result so as to display the entire special symbol in the display window.

With the structure, the second rearranging process is executed to change the display result in such a manner that the entire special symbol is displayed in the display window, when the display window display only a part of the special symbol. This way, the entire special symbol is displayed, instead of displaying only a part of the special symbol, and the player is able to see the fine and beautiful design of the special symbol provided over a plurality of segments. Thus, a visually beautiful special symbol is displayed. Further, only when a part of the special symbol is displayed in the display window, the entire special symbol will be displayed in the display window. In other words, the entire special symbol will not be displayed, when the special symbol is not at all displayed in the display window. As is understood from this, the display control of the special symbol is executed according to the symbols displayed in the display window at the time of stopping the scroll. This enables rearrangement of the special symbol with a high gaming characteristic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative diagram showing display control of the reels on a display window of a gaming machine, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a function flow of a gaming machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall structure of a slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structures of a reel device and a display window of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary random determination table showing a sequence of symbols drawn on the outer circumference of each reel of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary symbol combination table of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing a main control process of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart showing an exemplary flowchart of a coin-insertion/start-check process of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart showing a reel control process of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flowchart showing a feature game process of the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary flowchart of a symbol random determination process during a feature game in the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows exemplary structures of a first symbol storage area and a second symbol storage area.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary flowchart of a reel control process during the feature game in the slot machine, according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary reel control table of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings.

Overview of the Embodiment of the Present Invention

The following describes with reference to FIG. 1, an overview of a gaming machine, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, the gaming machine of the present invention is applied to a slot machine 10. The slot machine 10 has a plurality of reels 101 to 105, a display window 150 related to a winning, and a motherboard 70 (see FIG. 6; an exemplary controller). Each of the plurality of reels 101 to 105 has a plurality of unit areas R (see FIG. 4) on its outer circumference, and includes at least one first reel. The first reel has a symbol column (example of the plurality of symbols) including ordinary symbols 200 each provided as one image in the unit areas R on one-by-one basis, and a special symbol 300 provided as one image over a plurality of the unit areas R (four unit areas R for example). The display window 150 is disposed at the front of the plurality of reels 101 to 105. The display window 150 displays a predetermined number of unit areas R (e.g. 4 areas) on each of the plurality of reels 101 to 105, and relates to a winning. The motherboard 70 is programmed to execute the following processes of:

(a1) rearranging symbols on the plurality of reels 101 to 105, and displaying the symbols in the display window 150; and

(a2) when a part of the special symbol 300 on any of the plurality of reels 101 to 105 is displayed in the display window 150 after rearrangement of (a1), rearranging the symbols to display the entire special symbol 300 in the display window 150.

Further, the slot machine 10 with the above structure executes a display control method for scrolling the plurality of reels 101 to 105 in the display window 150. This display control method includes the following steps of:

(a3) executing, for reels 102 to 105, a process of stopping the scroll in such a manner that the display window 150 displays the symbol column (plurality of symbols) including ordinary symbols 200 each of which is to be displayed in the plurality of unit areas R (example of segments) formed on the reels 102 to 105, on one-by-one basis, and a special symbol 300 to be displayed over a plurality of unit areas R (e.g. 4 areas);

(a4) when a part of the special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150, changing the display result so as to display the entire special symbol 300 in the display window 150.

The above described slot machine 10 of the present embodiment first rotates all the reels 101 to 105, and then successively stops the reels 101 to 105 in this order, after elapse of a predetermined period. For each of the reels 101 to 105, the slot machine 10 is able to display (rearrange) four unit areas R in the display window 150, when the reel stops its rotation. As such, symbols in these four unit areas are rearranged in the display window 150.

As described above, the present embodiment deals with a case where each of the symbol columns on the reels 102 to 105 includes ordinary symbols 200 each of which takes up one of the unit areas R, and a special symbol 300 which is a single image taking up four unit areas R. For example, a “single image” means colors, patterns, shapes, and the like which are unified to suggest one picture to a player.

When any of reels 102 to 105 displays only a part of the special symbol 300 in the display window 150, the slot machine 10 once again rotates the reel to display the entire special symbol 300 (hereinafter “re-scrolling process”). For example, the upper part of FIG. 1 shows the slot machine 10 in which reels 101 and 102 are stopped and the reels 103 to 105 are still rotating. On the reel 102 is rearranged only a part of the special symbol 300 (in only three of the unit areas R). The slot machine 10 in this case will execute the re-scrolling process for the reel 102, as shown in the middle part of the FIG. 1.

Note that, in the present example, the part of the special symbol 300 corresponding to three unit areas R is displayed at the lower side of the display window 150. Therefore, rotating the reel 102 upward by an amount corresponding to one unit area R will rearrange the entire special symbol 300 with the smallest amount of rotation. Thus, the reel 102 is rotated in this way in the slot machine 10. As a result of rotating the reel 102 again, the entire special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150 as shown in the lower part of FIG. 1.

The slot machine 10 of the present embodiment executes the re-scrolling process as mentioned above. A reason for displaying the special symbol 300 over a plurality of unit areas R (e.g., four areas) is that doing so will ensure a broad drawing area and allow displaying of a special symbol 300 with a finer and more beautiful design than those of a symbol that takes up only one unit area. The present embodiment deals with a case, where the special symbol 300 is rearranged through the re-scrolling process, when only a part of the special symbol 300 is rearranged. Therefore, the fine and beautiful design of the special symbol 300 is entirely shown to the player. Further, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 10 executes the re-scrolling process only when a part of the special symbol 300 is rearranged; the re-scrolling process is not executed when the special symbol 300 is not at all rearranged. Thus, rearrangement of a part of the special symbol 300 (i.e., determining a part of the special symbol 300 as a symbol to be rearranged) causes displaying of the entire special symbol 300. This enables displaying of the special symbol 300 with a high gaming characteristic.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the symbol column of the reel 101 (an example of second reel) does not include the special symbol 300, and the re-scrolling process is not executed for the reel 101.

Further, in the present embodiment, the symbols on the reels 101 to 105 are rearranged in the display window 150 during the base game, and whether or not a winning is achieved is determined based on the symbols rearranged. When a resulting winning is establishment of a feature game flag, a feature game is started. The above re-scrolling process takes place only during this feature game.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the special symbol 300 is a group of wild symbols which are multiple symbols each serving as any symbol.

The wording “arrangement”, “rearrangement”, “feature game”, and “random determination” which appear in the application of the present invention are defined as follows.

The wording “arrangement” means a state in which symbols are visually confirmable by a player outside. In other words, the wording means the state shown in FIG. 1 in which the symbols are displayed in the display window 150.

The wording “rearrange” means to dismiss the arrangement of the symbols and once again arrange the symbols.

The “feature game” is a synonym of the bonus game. The present embodiment deals with a case where the feature game is a game in which a free game is repeated. The feature game however is not particularly limited and may be any type of game, provided that the feature game provides more advantageous gaming state than the base game. For example, the feature game may be any one of or any combination of the following gaming states: a gaming state in which more game medium is obtainable than the base game, a gaming state in which game medium are more easily won than the base game, or a gaming state in which the consumption of the game medium is reduced. Note that an expression “feature in” may be used hereinbelow which means the state in which a symbol combination related to a feature game trigger is displayed and running of the feature game.

Note further that “random determination” has the similar meaning to “random selection”.

(Function Flow Diagram)

The following describes with reference to FIG. 2 basic functions of the gaming machine of the present invention.

(Coin-Insertion/Start-Check)

First, the gaming machine checks whether or not a bet button X1 has been pressed by a player, and subsequently checks whether or not a start button X2 has been pressed by the player (X3).

(Symbol Determination)

Next, when the start button X2 is pressed by the player, the gaming machine samples a random number for symbol determination (X4), and determines, for each of the plurality of reels 101 to 105, which symbol will be displayed when the rotation of the reels 101 to 105 are stopped (X5).

(Reel Control)

Next, the gaming machine starts rotating the reels 101 to 105 and then stops the rotation so that the determined symbols are displayed to the player (X6).

(Winning Determination)

When the reels 101 to 105 are stopped rotating, the gaming machine determines whether or not a combination of symbols displayed to the player is a combination related to winning (X7).

(Payout)

When the combination of symbols displayed to the player is a combination related to winning, the gaming machine awards a prize (benefit) according to the combination to the player (X8). For example, when a combination of symbols related to a payout of coins has been displayed, the gaming machine pays out coins of the number corresponding to the combination of symbols to the player.

Further, in the gaming machine, the feature game process (X9) is started when the feature game trigger is met in the winning determination of X7. At this time, the above mentioned processes of X4 to X8, and later described processes of X11 and X13 are executed as in the base game. Note however that, unlike the base game, the above-described re-scrolling process is executed when a part of the special symbol 300 is rearranged on any of the reels 102 to 105. The coins having won in this feature game are also paid out (X8).

In each game, the gaming machine calculates the amount (accumulation amount) to be accumulated to the amount of jackpot and transmits it to an external controller X10. The external controller X10 accumulates to the amount of jackpot the accumulation amount transmitted from the respective gaming machines.

(Effect Determination)

The gaming machine provides various effects by lighting up the symbols provided to the reels with the backlight, displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device, illumination using the lamp, and/or outputting a sound from the speaker (X13). The gaming machine extracts a random value for effect (X11) and determines contents of the effects based on the symbols and the like determined by lottery (X12).

(Entire Gaming System)

The basic functions of the gaming machine have been described above. Next, the following describes a gaming system including a slot machine 10 to which the gaming machine of the present invention is applied.

The gaming system includes a plurality of slot machines 10 and an external controller X10 (see FIG. 2) connected to the slot machines 10 via a communication line (not-shown).

The external controller X10 controls the plurality of slot machines 10. For example, the external controller X10 is a hall server installed in a gaming facility having the slot machines 10. Each of the slot machines 10 has a unique identification number, and the external controller X10 identifies which one of the slot machines 10 transmitted data, by referring to the identification number. Further, when transmitting data from the external controller X10 to any of the slot machines 10, the identification number is used for designating the transmission destination.

It is to be noted that the gaming system may be constructed within a single gaming facility providing various games such as a casino, or may be constructed among a plurality of gaming facilities. Further, when the gaming system is constructed in a single gaming facility, the gaming system may be constructed in each floor or section of the gaming facility. The communication line may be a wired or wireless line, and can adopt a dedicated line, an exchange line or the like.

(Overall Structure of Slot Machine 10)

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the following describes an overall structure of the slot machine 10.

A coin, a bill, or electrically valuable information corresponding to these is used as a game medium in the slot machine 10. Further, in the present embodiment, a later-described ticket with a barcode is also used. It is to be noted that the game medium is not limited to these, and for example a medal, a token, electronic money or the like can be adopted.

Each slot machine 10 includes a cabinet 11, a top box 12 provided above the cabinet 11, a main door 13 provided to the front surface of the cabinet 11.

The main door 13 has a reel device M1 having five reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105. On the front surface of the reel device M1 is provided a reel cover 134. Note that the reel cover 134 has a transparent liquid crystal panel or a transparent panel. The reel cover 134 has at its center a display window 150.

As shown in FIG. 4, the display window 150 partially displays to the outside the respective symbol columns of the reels 101 to 105. Each of the reels 101 to 105 has a predetermined number of unit areas R (e.g. 15 unit areas) which are aligned on the outer circumference in the rotating direction of the reel. These unit areas R are formed by segmenting each of the reels 101 to 105 into a predetermined number of segments (e.g. 15 segments) at equal intervals in the rotating direction of the reel. In each of the unit areas R is drawn a symbol. Basically, one unit area R has one symbol (ordinary symbol 200). However, the special symbol 300 is drawn over a plurality of unit areas R (e.g. four areas). In the present embodiment, the display window 150 displays to the outside the symbols corresponding to 20 unit areas R arranged in five columns and four rows. Further, in the upper left portion of the display window 150 is provided an electroluminescent display 152 which displays text reading “CHANCE”.

The reel device M1 rearranges symbols 501 by rotating the reels 101 to 105 each having symbols 501 arranged on its outer circumference. Note that the reel 101, the reel 102, the reel 103, the reel 104, and the reel 105 are arranged in this order from the left side when viewed from the front side.

There are four paylines L1, L2, L3, L4 which extend from the left end to the right end of the display window 150. The line passing through the upper stage (first stage) of the display window 150 is a payline L1 which is used for determining whether or not a winning is achieved. Similarly, the line passing through the second stage of the display window 150 is a payline L2, and the line passing through the third stage of the display window 150 is a payline L3. Further, the line passing through the lower stage (fourth stage) of the display window 150 is a payline L4.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the paylines L1 to L4 are all activated irrespective of the amount bet, in response to placing of a bet. Various types of winnings can be resulted based on combinations of the symbols 501 arranged on the activated paylines L1 to L4 (see symbol combination table 192 of FIG. 7). Note however that the paylines L1 to L4 may be activated according to the amount of bet. The paylines L1 to L4 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4, and the number of the paylines is not limited to four.

The present embodiment deals with cases where the slot machine 10 adopts a reel device M1 of mechanical reels. However, the slot machine 10 of the present invention may adopt a video reel system which displays a pseudo reel or a system which is a combination of the video reel system and a mechanical reels system. Further, the reel cover 134 may have a touch panel. In such a case, the player is able to enter various instructions by operating the touch panel. From the touch panel, an input signal is transmitted to the main CPU 71.

Below the reel device M1 is arranged a control panel 30, as shown in FIG. 3. The control panel 30 includes: a reserve button 31, a collect button 32, and a game rule button 33 arranged in the left side area of the upper stage; a 1-bet button 34, a 2-bet button 35, a 3-bet button 37 which are arranged in the left side area of the lower stage; a coin entry 21 and a bill entry 22 for accepting coins and bills into the cabinet 11, respectively, which are arranged in the right side area of the upper stage; and a gamble button 45 and a start button 46 which are arranged in the right side area of the lower stage.

The reserve button 31 is an operation button to be used when temporarily leaving the seat, or when asking a staff member of the gaming facility for an exchange. The collect button 32 is an operation button used for outputting the coins kept inside the slot machine 10 to the coin outlet 18. The game rule button 33 is a button pressed when the player is uncertain of how to operate the game. When the game rule button 33 is pressed, various help information is displayed on a later-mentioned upper image display panel 131.

The 1-bet button 34 is a button which bets the player-owned credit one by one on the four active paylines L1 to L4. The 2-bet button 35 is a button for starting a game with 2 bets on the four active paylines L1 to L4. The 3-bet button 37 is a button for starting a game with 3 bets on the four active paylines L1 to L4. Thus, the amount of bet on the four active paylines L1 to L4 is determined by pressing of the 1-bet button 34, the 2-bet button 35, or the 3-bet button 37.

The gamble button 45 is an operation button for causing shifting to a gamble game after an end of a feature game or the like. The gamble game here means a game run by using credit the player has won.

The start button 46 is a button for starting scroll of the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105. This start button 46 also functions as a button for starting a feature game or adding the payout won in the feature game to the credit. The coin entry 21 is for accepting coins into the cabinet 11. The bill entry 22 validates a bill, and accepts a valid bill into the cabinet 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lower front surface of the main door 13, i.e., the lower portion of the control panel 30, has a coin outlet 18 for outputting coins, and a belly glass 132 on which a character of the slot machine 10 or the like is drawn.

An upper image display panel 131 is provided at the front surface of the top box 12. The upper image display panel 131 includes a liquid crystal panel, and forms the display. The upper image display panel 131 displays images related to effects and images showing introduction of the game contents and explanation of the game rules. Further, the top box 12 is provided with a speaker 112 and a lamp 111. The slot machine 10 produces effects by displaying images, outputting sounds, and outputting the light.

A data display 174, and a keypad 173 are provided on the lower side of the upper image display panel 131. The data display 174 includes a fluorescent display, LEDs and the like, and displays the data read out from an IC card inserted or the data inputted by the player via the keypad 173, for example. The keypad 173 is for inputting data.

(Symbol Arrays on Reels)

Next, the following describes the structure of symbol columns drawn on the outer circumference of each of the reels 101 to 105 of the slot machine 10, with reference to FIG. 5.

On the respective outer circumferences of the reels 101 to 105 are provided symbol columns each structured by a plurality of symbols aligned in the rotating direction, in the order of the code numbers shown in FIG. 5. These code numbers correspond to the unit areas R shown in FIG. 4, respectively. The reel 101 has a symbol column including 15 symbols. The symbol column is a combination of the following symbols: “byakko (white tiger)”, “suzaku (vermilion bird)”, “genbu (black tortoise)”, “seiryu (azure dragon)”, or the like. The symbol column on the reel 101 is structured only by the ordinary symbols 200 each of which takes up only one unit area R. As such this symbol column includes 15 symbols. Note that, in FIG. 5, the reference numeral for the ordinary symbol 200 is given to those on the reel 105 to keep the figure simple. The same goes for the later-described special symbol 300.

Further, each of the symbol columns of the reels 102 to 105 includes at least one special symbol 300, along with the ordinary symbols 200. As hereinabove mentioned, the special symbol 300 is provided over four unit areas R as a single symbol (image). Therefore, each of the symbol columns of the reels 102 to 105 has 11 symbols.

Next, the following describes the special symbol 300. The special symbol 300 is formed by successively aligning four types of wild symbols (continuous symbols) 400. Therefore, if the wild symbol 400 is counted as one symbol, each of the symbol columns of the reels 102 to 105 also has 15 symbols as in the case with the reel 101. The special symbol 300 on the reel 105 for example is formed by four types of wild symbols 400 respectively corresponding to the code numbers “03” to “06”. In the present embodiment, the four types of wild symbols 400 are a first wild symbol 401 with the alphabet “W”, a second wild symbol 402 with “I”, a third wild symbol 403 with “L”, and a fourth wild symbol 404 with “D”. These symbols are aligned in this order. Note that, when these four types of wild symbol 401 to 404 are not distinguished from one another, these wild symbols are collectively referred to as wild symbol 400. When these wild symbols 401 to 404 are distinguished from one another, these wild symbols are referred to as wild symbols 401 to 404, respectively.

As is understood from the above, the four types of wild symbols 400 structuring the special symbol 300 form a text string reading “WILD”. These four types of wild symbols 400, when displayed in the display window 150, form one image. Therefore, a player is able to see a fine and beautiful design of the special symbol 300. However, since each of the wild symbols 400 is one of the symbols to be selected as a symbol to be rearranged, the display window 150 may display only a part of the wild symbols 400 structuring the special symbol 300. For example, when the symbols corresponding to the code numbers “04” to “07” of the reel 105 are rearranged, the first wild symbol 401 is not displayed in the display window 150 while the second to fourth wild symbols 402, 403, and 404 are displayed in the display window 150. In this case, the entire fine and beautiful design of the special symbol 300 is not displayed to the player.

In the present embodiment, when a part of the special symbol 300 is rearranged in the display window 150 during a feature game, the re-scrolling process is executed to rearrange the entire special symbol 300. Therefore, during the feature game, the entire special symbol 300 is rearranged without fail, and the entire fine and beautiful special symbol 300 is displayed to the player.

Note that the wild symbol 400 is a multiple symbol which serves any type of symbols, as hereinabove described. Therefore, when the wild symbol 400 is rearranged on any of the paylines L1 to L4, the player is given an advantageous condition for winning. When the re-scrolling process is executed, the entire special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150. This means more wild symbols 400 are displayed on any of the paylines L1 to L4. This raises the chance of winning. Note that in the present embodiment, the wild symbol 400 is treated as a symbol that serves any type of symbol, even if the display window 150 fails to display all of the four types of wild symbols 400. Note however that the wild symbol 400 may be treated as a symbol that serves as any type of symbols, only when all of the four types of wild symbols 400 are displayed in the display window 150.

Note that the designs of the wild symbols 400 in the present embodiment are no more than examples, and are not particularly limited as long as the wild symbols 400 forms one image that takes up a plurality of the unit areas R. Further, the number of wild symbols 400 structuring the special symbol 300 is not limited to four, as long as the number is not more than the number of symbols the display window 150 can display relative to its longitudinal direction. Note that the number of symbols that the display window 150 can display relative to its longitudinal direction is not limited to four.

(Structure of Circuits in Slot Machine 10)

Next, the following describes with reference to FIG. 6 the structure of a circuit in the slot machine 10.

A gaming board 50 is provided with: a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a boot ROM 53, which are mutually connected by an internal bus; a card slot 55 corresponding to a memory card 54; and an IC socket 57 corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic) 56.

The memory card 54 includes an involatile memory, and stores a game program and a gaming system program. The game program includes a program related to game progression, a random determination program, a random determination table 191 (see FIG. 5), a symbol combination table 192 (see FIG. 7), and a program for producing effects by images and sounds.

Further, the card slot 55 is configured so that the memory card 54 can be inserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to a motherboard 70 by an IDE bus.

The GAL 56 is a type of PLD (Programmable Logic Device) having a fixed OR array structure. The GAL 56 is provided with a plurality of input ports and output ports, and predetermined input into the input port causes output of the corresponding data from the output port.

Further, the IC socket 57 is configured so that the GAL 56 can be inserted thereinto and removed therefrom, and is connected to the motherboard 70 by a PCI bus. The contents and settings of the game to be played on the slot machine 10 can be changed by replacing the memory card 54 with another memory card 54 having another program written therein or by rewriting the program written into the memory card 54 as another program.

The CPU 51, the ROM 52 and the boot ROM 53 mutually connected by the internal bus are connected to the motherboard 70 by a PCI bus. The PCI bus enables a signal transmission between the motherboard 70 and the gaming board 50, and power supply from the motherboard 70 to the gaming board 50.

The ROM 52 stores an authentication program. The boot ROM 53 stores a pre-authentication program, a program (boot code) to be used by the CPU 51 for activating the pre-authentication program, and the like.

The authentication program is a program (falsification check program) for authenticating the game program and the gaming system program. The pre-authentication program is a program for authenticating the aforementioned authentication program. The authentication program and the pre-authentication program are written along a procedure (authentication procedure) for proving that the program to be the subject has not been falsified.

The motherboard 70 is provided with a main CPU 71, a ROM 72, a RAM 73, and a communication interface 82.

The ROM 72 includes a memory device such as a flash memory, and stores a program such as BIOS to be executed by the main CPU 71, and permanent data. When the BIOS is executed by the main CPU 71, a process for initializing predetermined peripheral devices is executed. Further, through the gaming board 50, a process of loading the game program and the gaming system program stored in the memory card 54 is started.

The RAM 73 stores data and programs which are used in operation of the main CPU 71. For example, when the process of loading the aforementioned game program, gaming system program or authentication program is executed, the RAM 73 can store the program. The RAM 73 is provided with working areas used for operations in execution of these programs. Examples of the areas include: an area that stores counters for the number of games, the amount of bet, the amount of payout, the amount of credit and the like; and an area that stores symbols randomly determined (to-be stopped symbols) (first and second symbol storage areas 731 and 732 described later with reference to FIG. 13).

The communication interface 82 is for communicating with the external controller such as a server, through the communication line. Further, the motherboard 70 is connected with a later-described door PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 90 and a main body PCB 110 by respective USBs. The motherboard 70 is also connected with a power unit 81.

When the power is supplied from the power unit 81 to the motherboard 70, the main CPU 71 of the motherboard 70 is activated, and then the power is supplied to the gaming board 50 through the PCI bus so as to activate the CPU 51.

The door PCB 90 and the main body PCB 110 are connected with input devices such as a switch and a sensor, and peripheral devices the operations of which are controlled by the main CPU 71.

The door PCB 90 is connected with a control panel 30, a reverter 91, a coin counter 92C and a cold cathode tube 93.

The control panel 30 includes: a reserve switch 31S, a collect switch 32S, a game rule switch 33S, a 1-bet switch 34S, a 2-bet switch 35S, a 3-bet switch 37S, a gamble switch 45S, and a start switch 46S which respectively corresponds to the above mentioned buttons. Each of the switches outputs a signal to the main CPU 71 upon detection of press of the button corresponding thereto by the player.

The coin counter 92C determines whether or not the material and shape or the like of an input coin is valid, and if it is valid, outputs a signal to the main CPU 71. Invalid coins are discharged from a coin outlet 18 (see FIG. 3).

The reverter 91 operates based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71, and distributes valid coins validated by the coin counter 92C into a hopper 113 or a cash box (not shown). That is, coins are distributed into the hopper 113 when the hopper 113 is not filled with coins, while coins are distributed into the cash box when the hopper 113 is filled with coins.

The cold cathode tube 93 functions as a backlight installed on the rear face sides of the upper image display panel 131, and lights up based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The main body PCB 110 is connected with the lamp 111, the speaker 112, the hopper 113, a coin detecting unit 113S, a touch panel 69, a bill entry 22, a graphic board 130, an index detection circuit 151 a, position detection circuits 151 b, a motor driving circuit 153, the ticket printer 171, the card reader 172, a key switch 173S and the data display 174. Further, the index detection circuit 151 a, the position detection circuits 151 b, and motor driving circuit 153 are connected to the reel device M1.

The lamp 111 lights up based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71. The speaker 112 outputs sounds such as BGM, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The hopper 113 operates based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71, and pays out coins of the specified amount of payout from the coin outlet 18. The coin detecting unit 113S outputs a signal to the main CPU 71 upon detection of coins paid out by the hopper 113.

The touch panel 69 specifies the position touched by the player, and outputs a position signal corresponding to the specified position to the main CPU 71. Upon acceptance of a valid bill, the bill entry 22 outputs to the main CPU 71 a signal corresponding to the face amount of the bill.

The graphic board 130 controls display of images by the upper image display panel 131, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71. The graphic board 130 is provided with a VDP generating image data, a video RAM temporarily storing the image data generated by the VDP, and the like.

The motor driving circuit 153 has an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) 155 and a driver 154. The motor driving circuit 153 is connected to a stepping motor which rotates the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105.

The FPGA 155 is an electronic circuit such as a programmable LSI, and functions as a control circuit of the stepping motor. The driver 154 functions as an amplifying circuit for pulses to be input to the stepping motor.

The index detection circuit 151 a detects positions of the rotating reels 101 to 105, and is capable of detecting any of the reels 101 to 105 stepped out.

Each of the position detection circuits 151 b detect where the corresponding one of the reels 101 to 105 has stopped after the rotation (i.e., stop position), and detects if there is any change in the stop position. For example, each of the position detection circuits 151 b has an optical sensor or the like which detects a position of a reference point provided to a predetermined position (one position) of the inner side of the corresponding one of the reels 101 to 105. When the position detection circuit 151 b detects the reference point and then once again detects the reference point, it means that the reel has rotated once. The position detection circuit 151 b detects, as the above described stop position, the rotation angle of the corresponding one of the reels 101 to 105 after detection of the reference point, based on the number of pulses input to the stepping motor. Suppose the symbols having stopped form no winning combinations. If the stop position of any of the reels 101 to 105 is illicitly changed from the outside to form a combination of symbols related to a winning, the position detection circuit 151 b of that reel detects the change in the stop position. For example, each of the reels 101 to 105 is provided with not-shown fins which are attached inside the reel at predetermined intervals, and by detecting the fin on the corresponding one of the reels 101 to 105, the position detection circuit 151 b detects a change in the stop position of the corresponding one of the reels 101 to 105.

The excitation method of the stepping motor is not particularly limited. A 1-2 phase excitation method, 2 phase excitation method are adoptable. It is also possible to adopt a DC motor instead of a stepping motor. When the DC motor is adopted, the main body PCB 110 is connected to a deviation counter, a D/A converter, and a servo amplifier in this order, and the DC motor is connected to the servo amplifier. Further, the rotating position of the DC motor is detected by a rotary encoder, and data of the current rotate position of the DC motor is supplied from the rotary encoder to the deviation counter.

Based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71, the ticket printer 171 prints on a ticket a barcode representing encoded data of the credit amount stored in the RAM 73, date and time, the identification number of the slot machine 10, and the like, and then outputs the ticket as a barcode-attached ticket.

The card reader 172 reads data stored in a card inserted into the card slot (not shown) and transmits the data to the main CPU 71, or writes data into the card based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

The key switch 173S is provided in the keypad 173 (see FIG. 3), and outputs a predetermined signal to the main CPU 71 when the keypad 173 has been operated by the player.

The data display 174 displays data read by the card reader 172 and data inputted by the player through the keypad 173, based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 71.

(Structure of Random Determination Table)

Next, the following describes with reference to FIG. 5, the random determination table 191. The random determination table 191 is a table for use in determining symbols to be rearranged on the reels 101 to 105. To the random determination table 191 are registered 15 symbols drawn on each of the reels 101 to 105, and the code numbers (“00” to “14”) corresponding to these symbols. To determine symbols to be rearranged on the reels 101 to 105, a random number is generated within the range of “00” to “14” for each of the reels 101 to 105. Then, the random number thus generated as a code number is looked up in the random determination table 191, to determine the symbol to be rearranged on the reels 101 to 105.

For example, when a random number generated for the reel 102 is “14”, the symbol “kita (North)” corresponding to the code number “14” is determined as to be a symbol to be rearranged on the payline L1. Then, the symbols corresponding to the subsequent code numbers “00”, “01”, and “02” are determined as to be the symbols to be rearranged on the paylines L2, L3, and L4, respectively. Specifically, the symbols surrounded by the thick frame are determined as to be the symbols to be rearranged on the reel 102. That is, in this example, the symbol “kita” and the first to third wild symbols 401, 402, 403 are going to be rearranged.

(Structure of Symbol Combination Table)

Next, the following describes with reference to FIG. 7, a symbol combination table 192.

The symbol combination table 192 specifies combinations of drawn symbols relating to winning, the amount of payout. On the slot machine 10, a winning is established when the combination of symbols on the reels 101 to 105 displayed along any of the paylines L1 to L4 matches one of the combinations of symbols specified by the symbol combination table. According to the combination of symbols resulting in a winning, a benefit such as payout of coins and/or start of a feature game is offered to the player. It is to be noted that winning is not established (i.e. the game is lost) when the combination of symbols displayed along the payline L1 to L4 does not match any of the combinations of symbols specified by the symbol combination table.

For example, as shown in the symbol combination table 192 of FIG. 7, when five “suzaku” symbols are rearranged along any of the paylines L1 to L4, the amount of payout is determined as to be “30”. Further, for example, when the three feature symbols (symbols with the text reading “FEATURE”) are rearranged along any of the paylines L1 to L4, the amount of payout is determined as to be “15”. Note that the feature symbol serves as a trigger for the feature game. Therefore, when a predetermined number (three in the present embodiment) or more of the feature symbols are rearranged, the feature game trigger is established as a winning combination and the “feature game” is award. Thus, in this case, the feature game is started from the next game.

(Content of Program)

Next, the program to be executed by the slot machine 10 is described.

(Main Control Process)

First, with reference to FIG. 8, main control process is described.

First, when the power is supplied to the slot machine 10, the main CPU 71 reads the authenticated game program and gaming system program from the memory card 54 through the gaming board 50, and writes the programs into the RAM 73 (step 11; hereinafter simply labeled as S11).

Next, the main CPU 71 executes an at-one-game-end initialization process (S12). For example, data that becomes unnecessary after each game in the working areas of the RAM 73, such as the bet amount and the symbols determined by lottery, is cleared.

The main CPU 71 executes coin-insertion/start-check process which is described later with reference to FIG. 9 (S13). In the process, input from the bet switch (1-bet switch 34S, 2-bet switch 35S, 3-bet switch 37S) and the start switch 46S is checked.

The main CPU 71 then executes symbol random determination process (S14). In the process, to-be stopped symbols are determined based on the random number for symbol determination. The to-be stopped symbols are symbols to be rearranged on the reels 101 to 105.

Specifically, the main CPU 71 first samples random numbers for symbol determination. Next, the main CPU 71 determines the to-be stopped symbols for the reels 101 to 105, based on the sampled random numbers. This way the main CPU 71 randomly selects four successive to-be stopped symbols out of the 15 symbols for each of the reels 101 to 105.

Next, the main CPU 71 stores the to-be stopped symbols thus determined for each of the reels 101 to 105, in the first symbol storage area 731 (see FIG. 6) provided in the RAM 73. Next, the main CPU 71 refers to the symbol combination table 192 (see FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B) to determine a winning based on the to-be stopped symbols stored in the first symbol storage area 731. The main CPU 71 determines whether or not the combination of symbols to be displayed along a payline L1 to L4 by each of reels 101 to 105 matches any of the combinations of symbols specified by the symbol combination table 192, and determines the winning combination. Note that, when the wild symbol 400 stops on the payline L1, L2, L3, L4, the winning determination is executed deeming the wild symbol 400 as a symbol that can be any possible symbol. After the winning determination, the symbol random determination process is ended.

The main CPU 71 executes an effect contents determination process (S15). The main CPU 71 extracts a random value for effect, and determines any of the effect contents from the preset plurality of effect contents by lottery. For example, when the effects are assigned to the types of the symbols, respectively, the main CPU 71 refers to the to-be stopped symbols of the reels 101 to 105, and randomly determines any effect content out of the effect contents assigned.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes a reel control process which is described later with reference to FIG. 10 (S16). In this process, the rotation of all the reels 101 to 105 is stopped so that the to-be stopped symbols determined in the symbol random determination process of S14 are displayed along the paylines L1 to L4.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes payout amount determination process (S17). In the process, the amount of payout is determined based on the combination of symbols 501 displayed along the payline L1, L2, L3, or L4, and is stored into a payout counter provided in the RAM 73.

The main CPU 71 then determines whether or not the feature game trigger has been established (S18). Specifically, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not three or more “Feature” symbols each drawn on the outer circumference of the reels 101 to reel 105 are displayed in the display window 150 and aligned along any of the paylines L1 to L4. The main CPU 71, when determining that the feature game trigger is established (S18: YES), executes a predetermined Feature-In effect process (S19); e.g. the text reading “CHANCE” is displayed on the electroluminescent display 152. After that, the feature game process described with reference to FIG. 11 is executed (S20).

After S20 or when determining in step S18 that the feature game trigger has not been established (S18: NO), the main CPU 71 executes the payout process (step S21). The main CPU 71 adds, to the value of credit counter in the RAM 73, a value stored in the payout counter (or a feature game payout counter described in S75 of FIG. 11). It is to be noted that operations of the hopper 113 may be controlled based on input from the collect switch 32S, and coins of the number corresponding to the value stored in the payout counter may be output from the coin outlet 18. Further, it is possible to control the driving of the ticket printer 171 to issue a barcode-attached ticket having thereon the value of the payout counter. After this, the process shifts to S12.

(Coin-Input/Start-Checking Process)

Next, the following describes the coin-input/start-checking process with reference to FIG. 9.

First, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not insertion of a coin has been detected by the coin counter 92C (S41). When determining that the insertion of a coin has been detected (S41: Yes), the main CPU 71 makes an addition to the value stored in the credit counter (step S42). It is to be noted that, in addition to the insertion of a coin, the main CPU 71 may determine whether or not insertion of a bill has been detected by the bill entry 22, and when determining that the insertion of a bill has been detected, the main CPU 71 may add a value according to the bill to the value stored in the credit counter.

After step S42 or when determining in step S41 that the insertion of a coin has not been detected (S41: No), the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the value stored in the credit counter is zero (S43). When the main CPU 71 determines that the value stored in the credit counter is not zero (S43: Yes), the main CPU 71 permits operation acceptance of the bet buttons (1-bet button 34, 2-bet button 35, 3-bet button 37) (step S44).

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not operation of any of the bet buttons (1-bet button 34, 2-bet button 35, 3-bet button 37) has been detected (step S45). When the main CPU 71 determines that the bet switches (1-bet switch 34S, 2-bet switch 35S, 3-bet switch 37S) has detected press of the corresponding one of the bet buttons (1-bet button 34, 2-bet button 35, 3-bet button 37) by the player, the main CPU 71 makes an addition to a value stored in a bet counter provided in the RAM 73 and makes a subtraction from the value stored in the credit counter, based on the type of the bet button (S46).

The main CPU 71 then determines whether or not the value stored in the bet counter is at its maximum (S47). When the main CPU 71 determines that the value stored in the bet counter is at its maximum (S47: Yes), the main CPU prohibits updating of the value stored in the bet counter (S48). After step S48 or when determining in step S47 that the value stored in the bet counter is not at its maximum (S47: No), the main CPU 71 permits operation acceptance of the start button 46 (S49).

After S49 or when determining in S45 that the operation of any of the bet buttons has not been detected, or when determining in step S43 that the value stored in the credit counter is zero, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not operation of the start button 46 has been detected (S50). When the main CPU 71 determines that the operation of the start button 46 has not been detected (S50: No), the process is shifted to step S41.

When the main CPU 71 determines that the operation of the start button 46 has been detected (S50: Yes), the coin-input/start-checking process is ended.

(Reel Control Process)

Next, the following describes with reference to FIG. 10 a reel control process of S16 shown in FIG. 8.

First, the main CPU 71 controls the stepping motor to start rotation of the reels 101 to 105 (S61).

Next, the main CPU 71 controls the stepping motor to stop the rotation of a predetermined reel out of the reels 101 to 105, based on data stored in the first symbol storage area 731 (S62). For example, when the to-be stopped symbols on a predetermined reel include, sequentially from the upper stage of the display window 150, the “kita” symbol, the first wild symbol 401, the second wild symbol 402, and the third wild symbol 403, the rotation of the reel is stopped after the “kita” symbol reaches the payline L1. As mentioned above, the present embodiment deals with a case where the main CPU 71 stops the reel 101 first, and then the reels 102, 103, 104, 105 in this order. Therefore, the first predetermined reel to be stopped is the reel 101.

Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the rotation of all the reels 101 to 105 is stopped (S63). When the main CPU 71 determines that all the reels 101 to 105 have stopped rotating (S63: YES), the main CPU 71 ends the reel control process and resumes the main control process of FIG. 8. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that one or more of the reels 101 to 105 are still rotating (S63: NO), the process goes back to S62. In S62, the main CPU 71 stops the rotation of a predetermined reel out of the still-rotating one or more of reels 101 to 105, which is to be stopped next.

(Feature Game Process)

Next, the following describes a feature game process with reference to FIG. 11.

First, the main CPU 71 stores in the game counter a predetermined number of games (e.g., 10 times) (S71). This predetermined number of games is the number of free games to be awarded to the player, when the feature game trigger is established.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes a feature game symbol random determination process (S72). The feature game symbol random determination process is a process similar to the symbol random determination process described with reference to S14 of FIG. 8. However, the feature game symbol random determination process is different from the symbol random determination process of S14 of FIG. 8 in the following point. Namely, random determination of the to-be stopped symbols is once again executed, when the to-be stopped symbols of any of the reels 102 to 105 include a part of the special symbol 300, in order to rearrange the entire special symbol 300. The feature game symbol random determination process is detailed later with reference to FIG. 12.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes an effect contents determination process, as is done in S15 shown in FIG. 8 (S73). Next, the main CPU 71 executes a feature game reel control process (S74). The feature game reel control process is similar to the reel control process of FIG. 10. However, the feature game reel control process is different from the reel control process of FIG. 10 in the following point. Namely, in the feature game reel control process, when a part of the special symbol 300 is rearranged on any of the reels 102 to 105 after rearrangement of symbols based on the to-be stopped symbols stored in the first symbol storage area 731 (see FIG. 6), the re-scrolling process is executed to rearrange the entire special symbol 300. The feature game reel control process is detailed later with reference to FIG. 14.

Next, the main CPU 71 executes a payout amount determination process similar to S17 of FIG. 8 (S75). In this process however, the amount of payout determined is added to the value of a feature game payout counter, instead of adding the same to the value in the above mentioned payout counter. According to the value stored in the feature game payout counter, the payout process in S21 of FIG. 8 is executed. Next, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the feature game trigger has been established, based on the winning combination determined in S72 (in later mentioned S100 of FIG. 12) (S76). This process of S76 is similar to S18 of FIG. 8. Here, when the feature game trigger is determined as to have been established (S76: YES), the main CPU 71 adds to the value of the game counter a predetermined number of games (e.g. 10 times) (S77). After that, the main CPU 71 executes a later mentioned S78. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that the feature game trigger has not been established (S76: NO), the main CPU 71 executes S78 without executing S77.

In S78, the main CPU 71 reduces the value of the game counter by one. The main CPU 71 then determines whether or not the value of the game counter is zero (S79). When the main CPU 71 determines that the value of the game counter is zero (S79: YES), the main CPU 71 ends the feature game process and resumes the main control process of FIG. 8. When the main CPU 71 determines that the value of the game counter is not zero (S79: NO), the main CPU 71 brings back the process to S72. In other words, S72˜S78 are repeated until the main CPU 71 determines that the value of the game counter is zero (until S79 result in YES).

(Feature Game Symbol Random Determination Process)

Next, with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the following describes the feature game symbol random determination process of S72 in FIG. 11.

First, the main CPU 71 samples a random number (a value ranging from “00” to “14”) for symbol determination (S91). Next, the main CPU 71 determines the to-be stopped symbols for each of the reels 101 to 105 based on the random number sampled (S92). Specifically, for each of the reels 101 to 105, the main CPU 71 generates a random number, and then looks up for the random number as a code number in the random determination table 191 of FIG. 5. The symbol corresponding to the code number being searched is determined as to be a to-be stopped symbol. An example of this determination process is described below with reference to FIG. 5. For example, when the random number generated is “00”, the corresponding code number is “00”. Then, a symbol corresponding to this code number is determined as to be a to-be stopped symbol to be rearranged on the payline L1. As the to-be stopped symbols to be rearranged on the paylines L2, L3, and L4 are determined symbols corresponding to three code numbers following the random number generated: e.g., when “00” is generated, the code numbers“01” to “03”.

Next, the main CPU 71 stores the to-be stopped symbols determined for each of the reels 101 to 105 in the first symbol storage area 731 provided in the RAM 73 (S93). As shown in FIG. 13, the first symbol storage area 731 has an area (sub storage area) for each of the reels 101 to 105, in which the to-be stopped symbols (four to-be stopped symbols to be rearranged on the paylines L1 to L4, respectively). In the feature game reel control process of S74 shown in FIG. 11, the main CPU 71 stops the rotation the reels 101 to 105 so that the to-be stopped symbols stored in the first symbol storage area 731 are rearranged in the display window 150 (details are provided hereinafter with reference to FIG. 14).

Next, the main CPU 71 stores an initial value (e.g., NULL) in the second symbol storage area 732 provided in the RAM 73 (S94). As shown in FIG. 13, the second symbol storage area 732 is structured similarly to the first symbol storage area 731, and has an area (sub storage area) for each of the reels 101 to 105 for the to-be stopped symbols (four to-be stopped symbols to be rearranged on the paylines L1 to L4). Then, for each of reels 101 to 105, an initial value is stored in the sub storage area in the second symbol storage area 732 in S94.

The reason for storing the to-be stopped symbol in the second symbol storage area 732 is as follows. Suppose, in the feature game reel control process of S74 shown in FIG. 11, a part of the special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150 after symbols are rearranged on the reels 101 to 105 based on the to-be stopped symbols stored in the first symbol storage area 731. In this case, the re-scrolling process is executed for the reel displaying the part of the special symbol 300. The second symbol storage area 732 stores, as the to-be stopped symbol, the symbols to be rearranged as the result of the re-scrolling process. Note that the initial value set in the second symbol storage area 732 indicates that the re-scrolling process is not necessary. Therefore, immediately after S94, all pieces of data stored in the second symbol storage area 732 indicate that re-scrolling process is not necessary for any of the reels 101 to 105. For each of the reels 102 to 105, i.e., reels other than the reel 101, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the re-scrolling process is necessary through S95 to S99. When the process is necessary, the main CPU 71 determines the to-be stopped symbols for the re-scrolling process, and overwrites the data in the second symbol storage area 732 with the data of to-be stopped symbols thus determined.

The following describes processes of S95 to S99. First, the main CPU 71 reads out any of the to-be stopped symbols of the reels 102 to 105, from the first symbol storage area 731 (S95). Then, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not a part of the special symbol is included in the to-be stopped symbols determined (four to-be stopped symbols corresponding to paylines L1, L2, L3, and L4) (S96). Specifically, when the to-be stopped symbols having been read out include one or more but not all of the first to fourth wild symbol 401 to 404 (see FIG. 5), the main CPU 71 determines “YES” in S96.

When the main CPU 71 determines that the to-be stopped symbols read out include a part of the special symbol 300 (S96: YES), the main CPU 71 determines once again to-be stopped symbols, in relation to the reel corresponding to the to-be stopped symbols read out so that the entire special symbol 300 is rearranged (S97). For example, the main CPU 71 determines first to fourth wild symbols 401, 402, 403, 404 as the four to-be stopped symbols for the reel.

The main CPU 71 then changes, to the to-be stopped symbol having been determined in S97, the initial value stored in the sub storage area of the reel (the reel corresponding to the to-be stopped symbol having been read out) in the second symbol storage area 732 (S98). After that, the main CPU 71 executes the later mentioned process of S99. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that the to-be stopped symbol having been read does not include a part of the special symbol 300 (S96: NO), the main CPU 71 executes the later-described process of S99, without the above described S97 and S98. In the present embodiment, the re-scrolling process is not executed, when the entire special symbol 300 is included in the to-be stopped symbols, and when the special symbol 300 is not at all included.

In S99, the main CPU 71 determines, for all of the reels 102 to 105, whether or not the to-be stopped symbols are read out from the first symbol storage area 731 in S95. When the main CPU 71 determines that the reading out of the to-be stopped symbols from the first symbol storage area 731 in S95 is not completed for all of the reels 102 to 105 (S99: NO), the main CPU 71 brings back the process to S95, and reads out the to-be stopped symbols for any of the reels 102 to 105 which has not been subjected to S95.

On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that the reading out of the to-be stopped symbols from the first symbol storage area 731 in S95 has been completed for all of the reels 102 to 105 (S99: YES), the main CPU 71 refers to the symbol combination table 192 and determines a winning combination based on the data stored in the first symbol storage area 731 and the second symbol storage area 732 (S100).

For example, when the initial value is set in the sub storage area of the second symbol storage area 732 for the to-be stopped symbols, the main CPU 71 determines a winning combination using the to-be stopped symbols in the first symbol storage area 731. Further, when the second symbol storage area 732 stores to-be stopped symbols, instead of the initial value, the main CPU 71 determines the winning combination using the to-be stopped symbols stored in the second symbol storage area 732, instead of the to-be stopped symbols stored in the first symbol storage area 731. For example, when the first symbol storage area 731 stores “feature symbol” as a to-be stopped symbol, and the second symbol storage area 732 stores the initial value, a winning is determined with the “feature symbol”. However, when the second symbol storage area 732 stores the first wild symbol 401 as the to-be stopped symbol, a winning is determined with the first wild symbol 401, instead of the “feature symbol”. In the present embodiment, the to-be stopped symbols of the second symbol storage area 732 are always the wild symbol 400. However, the main CPU 71 determines a winning combination regarding the wild symbol 400 as a symbol that can serve as any symbols. After that, the main CPU 71 ends the feature game symbol random determination process, and resumes the feature game process of FIG. 11.

(Feature Game Reel Control Process)

Next, the following describes an exemplary feature game reel control process of S74 in FIG. 11, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 14, and FIG. 15.

First, the main CPU 71 starts rotation of all the reels 101 to 105 as in the case of S61 in FIG. 10 (S111).

Next, the main CPU 71 controls the stepping motor as in the case of S62 in FIG. 10 to stop the rotation of any one predetermined reel out of the reels 101 to 105 so as to display the to-be stopped symbols stored in the first symbol storage area 731 (see FIG. 13) (S112). Note that, as described above, the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 are successively rotated and stopped in this order. Therefore, the main CPU 71 first stops the rotation of the reel 101 as the predetermined reel.

Then, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the predetermined reel stopped in S112 is the reel 101 (S113). When the predetermined reel is determined as not to be the reel 101 (S113: NO), the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the display window 150 displays a part of the special symbol 300 (S114). For example, the state of the reel 102 in the upper part of FIG. 1 is the state in which a part of the special symbol is displayed in the display window 150. In this process, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the initial value is set in the sub storage area (corresponding to the predetermined reel) of the second symbol storage area 732 (see FIG. 13) for the to-be stopped symbols. When the sub storage area of the second symbol storage area 732 for the to-be stopped symbol does not store the initial value (i.e., when the to-be stopped symbols are stored), the main CPU 71 determines that a part of the special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150. The main CPU 71 may execute the determination in S114 based on the stop position of the predetermined reel, which is input from the corresponding position detection circuit 151 b (see FIG. 6).

When the main CPU 71 determines that a part of the special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150 (S114: YES), the main CPU 71 executes the re-scrolling process (S115 to S117). In the re-scrolling process, the main CPU 71 first calculates the rotation direction and rotation angle of the predetermined reel, so that symbols are rearranged based on the to-be stopped symbols stored in the second symbol storage area 732 (S115).

The following describes an example of S115, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 15. For example, the memory card 54 (see FIG. 6) stores a table (reel control table shown in FIG. 15) which stores a rotation angle of a reel in association with each of the symbols (15 symbols) on each of the symbol columns of the reels 102 to 105. Note that, as described above, the present embodiment deals with a case where the position detection circuits 151 b are capable of detecting the reference points provided to predetermined positions of the reels 102 to 105, and capable of determining the rotation angles of the reels based on the reference points detected, respectively.

In the present embodiment, each of the reels 102 to 105 displays a designated symbol in its uppermost stage (on payline L1) in the display window 150, when the reel rotates by a rotation angle corresponding to that designated symbol on the reel control table, from the point of detecting the reference point by the corresponding position detection circuit 151 b. Each of the reels 102 to 105 in the present embodiment has 15 symbols (counting each wild symbol 400 as one symbol). Therefore, these 15 symbols are associated with angles at intervals of 24 degrees (e.g. 24 degrees, 48 degrees, 72 degrees, and the like). The reel control table is stored in the RAM 73 through S1 of FIG. 8.

The following describes an example of the rotation angles registered on the reel control table, supposing that the reels 101 to 105 rotate downwards in S111. Suppose further that the rotation angle associated with a symbol corresponding to the code number “00” is 0 degree. In this case, the rotation angles associated with the symbols corresponding to the code numbers “14” and “01” are 24 degrees and 336 degrees, respectively. As described, each of the reels 101 to 105 displays a designated symbol in its uppermost stage (on payline L1) in the display window 150, when the reel rotates from the point of detecting the reference point by a rotation angle corresponding to that designated symbol on the reel control table. Thus, in the above case for example, the reel 105 needs to rotate by 288 degrees after the detection of its reference point, to display the entire special symbol 300 in the display window 150.

In S115, the main CPU 71 receives, from the position detection circuit 151 b, a rotation angle of the predetermined reel from the point of detecting its reference point. Then, the main CPU 71 determines the rotation direction and rotation angle of the predetermined reel, based on the rotation angle having been received and the rotation angle corresponding to the to-be stopped symbol stored in the second symbol storage area 732. Note that the second symbol storage area 732 stores the first to fourth wild symbols 401 to 404 as to-be stopped symbols. The main CPU 71 therefore determines the rotation direction and the rotation angle of the predetermined reel, based on the rotation angle corresponding to the first wild symbol 401 (e.g. 288 degrees for the reel 105) which is the to-be stopped symbol on the payline L1.

For example, the main CPU 71 determines that the rotation direction of the predetermined reel is upward, if the rotation angle having been received is greater than the rotation angle corresponding to the first wild symbol 401. On the other hand, the main CPU 71 determines that the rotation direction of the predetermined reel is downward, if the rotation angle having been received is smaller than the rotation angle corresponding to the first wild symbol 401. For example, the main CPU 71 calculates the angle by which the predetermined reel is rotated as follows: |(detected angle)−(rotation angle corresponding to the first wild symbol 401)|.

The main CPU 71 then resumes rotation of the predetermined reel in the rotation direction determined in S115 (S116). The state of the reel 102 immediately after S116 is shown in the middle part of FIG. 1.

The main CPU 71 then stops the rotation after rotating the predetermined reel by the angle calculated in S115 (S117). Thus, the entire special symbol 300 is displayed on the predetermined reel. For example, the state of the reel 102 immediately after S117 is shown in the lower part of the FIG. 1.

After this, the main CPU 71 executes a later described S118. Note that the present embodiment deals with a structure in which fine adjustment is executed after the rotation of the predetermined reel in S112 is stopped so as to display the entire special symbol 300. Therefore, the rotation direction and rotation angle of the predetermined reel are calculated in S115. However, S115 does not necessarily have to be executed. For example, instead of S115, the main CPU 71 may resume the rotation of the predetermined reel in the constant rotation direction in S117, and then stop the rotation of the predetermined reel in S118, after elapse of a predetermined period (after the reel rotates more than once), so as to rearrange the stop symbol stored in the second symbol storage area 732.

Note that when the predetermined reel is determined as to be the reel 101 (S113: YES), the main CPU 71 executes the later described step S118, without executing the processes of S114 to S117. This is because the present embodiment deals with a case where the re-scrolling process is not executed for the reel 101. Further, when the main CPU 71 determines that the display window 150 displays none of the special symbol 300 (S114: NO), the main CPU 71 executes the later described step S118, without executing the processes of S115 to S117. This is because the present embodiment deals with a case where the re-scrolling process is not executed when the special symbol 300 is not at all displayed.

In S118, the main CPU 71 determines whether or not the rotation of the all of the reels 101 to 105 has stopped, as in the case of S63 shown in FIG. 10. When the main CPU 71 determines that the rotation of all the reels 101 to 105 has stopped (S118: YES), the main CPU 71 ends the feature game reel control process, and resumes the feature game process of FIG. 11. On the other hand, when the main CPU 71 determines that the rotation of at least one of the reels 101 to 105 has not yet been stopped (S118: NO), the main CPU 71 brings back the process to S112. In S112, the main CPU 71 stops the rotation of a predetermined reel which is one of non-stopped reels out of the reels 101 to 105. As mentioned above, the present embodiment deals with a case where the main CPU 71 stops the reel 101 and the reels 102, 103, 104, 105, successively in this order.

With the structure, even when the display window 150 only displays a part of the special symbol 300 which is drawn over a plurality of unit areas R (e.g. four areas) as one image, the re-scrolling process is executed to rearrange the entire special symbol 300. Therefore, the entire fine and beautiful design of the special symbol 300 is displayed in the display window 150, which is visually impressive. Further, execution of the re-scrolling process is limited to an occasion where the display window 150 displays a part of the special symbol 300. Therefore, whether or not the entire special symbol 300 will be displayed is determined based on the resulting to-be stopped symbols which are determined first (the to-be stopped symbols determined in S92). Therefore, the special symbol 300 is displayed with a high gaming characteristic.

Further, in the structure the symbol column of the reel 101 does not include the special symbol 300. This prevents a situation where no winning combination is determinable because all the reels 101 to 105 display the entire special symbol 300. Further, since the rotation of the reel 101 is stopped first in S112, the player is able to predict a possible winning combination by looking at the ordinary symbols 200 rearranged on the reel 101. On the other hand, each of the symbol columns of the reels 102 to 105 includes the special symbol 300. Therefore, execution of the re-scrolling process for any of the reels 102 to 105 to display the entire special symbol 300 causes a higher expectation of the player for resulting of the predicted winning combination.

Further, in the above structure, the re-scrolling process is executed only during the feature game. Therefore, only during the feature game, the player is guaranteed to see the entire special symbol 300, provided that the display window 150 displays at least a part of the special symbol 300. This realizes an effect to be provided only during the feature game. Further, the special symbol 300 is structured by a plurality of the wild symbols 400. Therefore, when the entire special symbol 300 is rearranged in the display window 150, the player is given an advantageous condition in relation to achieving a winning combination. The feature game therefore provides a higher chance of achieving a winning combination.

The above embodiment thus described solely serves as a specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to such an example. Specific structures of various means and the like may be suitably designed or modified. Further, the effects of the present invention described in the above embodiment are not more than examples of most preferable effects achievable by the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments described above.

For example, in the feature game reel control process shown in FIG. 14, a predetermined reel out of the reels 102 to 105 which is to be rotated and stopped next is rotated and stopped in S112, after the previous predetermined reel is rotated and stopped through the re-scrolling process. The present invention however is not limited to such a structure. It is possible to rotate and stop the next predetermined reel in S112, while the previous predetermined reel is still being rotated by the re-scrolling process.

The above described embodiment deals with a case where the symbol column of the reel 101 (example of the second reel) includes no special symbol 300, and the re-scrolling process is not executed for the reel 101. The present invention however is not limited to such a structure, provided that the symbol column of at least one of the reels 101 to 105 includes no special symbol 300, and that the re-scrolling process is not executed for that one of the reels 101 to 105. In the present embodiment, there is not winning combination corresponding to a case where the symbols rearranged are the special symbol 300. For this reason, the slot machine 10 needs to have a reel that has no special symbol 300. However, if there is a winning combination for the case where all the symbols rearranged are the special symbol 300, the symbol columns of all the reels 101 to 105 may include the special symbol 300. That is, the slot machine 10 may execute the re-scrolling process for any of the reels 101 to 105.

In the present embodiment, the base game is a slot game. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example the base game can be any of the following games: Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Porker, Let It Ride, Keno, and Wheel of Fortune, or the like. In other words, the base game may be any given game, provided that the slot game is run as the feature game, according to the result of the base game.

Further, the present embodiment deals with a case where the re-scrolling process is executed only during the feature game. However, the re-scrolling process may be executed during the base game. In this case, the base game is a slot game. For example, in the main control process shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to execute S72 shown in FIG. 11 (the feature game symbol random determination process shown in FIG. 12) instead of S14 (symbol random determination process). For example, in the main control process shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to execute S74 shown in FIG. 11 (the feature game reel control process shown in FIG. 14), instead of S16 (the reel control process shown in FIG. 10). In this case, the slot machine 10 may be structured so as to run only the base game, and not the feature game.

For example, the above embodiment deals with a case where the main CPU 71 determines whether a symbol having stopped on any of the paylines L1 to L4 is a winning-related symbol, for the purpose of determining whether a winning will occur. This however could be done without involving a payline, and using a scatter symbol instead. In a game using a scatter symbol, a winning (awarding of a payout, a feature game, or the like) is determined by determining whether or not a winning-related symbol is included in a matrix of arrangement areas structured by 15 symbols of three rows and five columns displayed in the display window 150, when the reels 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 are stopped. For example, in a game adopting the scatter symbol, a prize is awarded when a predetermined number or more of the scatter symbols (e.g. five scatter symbols) are displayed in the display window 150 (in any of the 20 unit areas). That is, a prize is awarded as long as a predetermined number or more of the scatter symbols are displayed in the display window 150, and the respective positions and alignment of the scatter symbols can be any given positions and alignment. When a wild symbol 400 is displayed in the display window 150 along with the scatter symbol, the wild symbol 400 is also considered as the scatter symbol when determining whether or not a winning is achieved.

Further, the special symbol 300 in the present embodiment is a group of wild symbols which are multiple symbols each serving as any symbol. However, the special symbol 300 does not have to be a group of wild symbols, and the special symbol 300 may be any given symbol as long as it is a symbol provided to a plurality of unit areas as one image.

Further, the detailed description above is mainly focused on characteristics of the present invention to fore the sake of easier understanding. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and is applicable to diversity of other embodiments. Further, the terms and phraseology used in the present specification are adopted solely to provide specific illustration of the present invention, and in no case should the scope of the present invention be limited by such terms and phraseology. Further, it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that the other structures, systems, methods or the like are possible, within the spirit of the present invention described in the present specification. The description of claims therefore shall encompass structures equivalent to the present invention, unless otherwise such structures are regarded as to depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the abstract is provided to allow, through a simple investigation, quick analysis of the technical features and essences of the present invention by an intellectual property office, a general public institution, or one skilled in the art who is not fully familiarized with patent and legal or professional terminology. It is therefore not an intention of the abstract to limit the scope of the present invention which shall be construed on the basis of the description of the claims. To fully understand the object and effects of the present invention, it is strongly encouraged to sufficiently refer to disclosures of documents already made available.

The detailed description of the present invention provided hereinabove includes a process executed on a computer. The above descriptions and expressions are provided to allow the one skilled in the art to most efficiently understand the present invention. A process executed in or by respective steps yielding one result or blocks with a predetermined process function described in the present specification shall be understood as a process with no self-contradiction. Further, the electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received and written in the respective steps or blocks. It should be noted that such a signal is expressed in the form of bit, value, symbol, text, terms, number, or the like solely for the sake of convenience. Although the present specification occasionally personifies the processes carried out in the steps or blocks, these processes are essentially executed by various devices. Further, the other structures necessary for the steps or blocks are obvious from the above descriptions. 

1. A gaming machine, comprising: a plurality of reels each having on its outer circumference a plurality of unit areas, wherein the plurality of reels include at least one first reel having a plurality of symbols including an ordinary symbol provided as one image in one of the unit areas and a special symbol provided as one image over a predetermined number of unit areas, the predetermined number being more than one; a display window disposed at the front of the plurality of reels, which displays the predetermined number or more of the unit areas on the reels and which relates to a winning; and a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to execute (a1) a first rearranging process of rearranging the symbols on the plurality of reels and displaying the symbols in the display window; and (a2) a second rearranging process of, when a part of the special symbol on the first reel is displayed in the display window after rearrangement of (a1), rearranging symbols to display the entire special symbol in the display window.
 2. The gaming machine, according to claim 1, wherein: the plurality of reels include a plurality of the first reels and a second reel having a plurality of symbols including the ordinary symbol but no special symbol; and in the first rearranging process of (a1), the controller rearranges symbols on the second reel before rearranging symbols on the first reel.
 3. The gaming machine, according to claim 1, wherein: the controller executes a base game and a feature game which is run based on the result of the base game; and (a2) is executed in the feature game and not in the base game.
 4. A display control method which scrolls a plurality of reels on a display window, the method including the following steps of: (a1) executing, for at least one of the reels, a process of stopping the scroll so that the display window displays some of a plurality of symbols including one or more ordinary symbols to be displayed on one-by-one basis in segments of the reels, and a special symbol to be displayed over two or more of the segments; and (a2) when a part of the special symbol is displayed in the display window, changing the display result so as to display the entire special symbol in the display window. 